After seven seasons and 147 matches for the St George Illawarra Dragons, Ben Hunt's time at the club has come to an end after he was released from the final season of the contract.
His departure means that the Dragons will need to prepare for life without him and will produce a new halves combination next season and beyond as they aim to reach the NRL Finals series once again.
Zero Tacklesย takes a look at ten realistic options that Shane Flanagan and the Dragons could choose to replace the Australian Kangaroos and QLD Maroons representative.
All the players on the list are either without a contract for next season, have been linked with the club or rival teams, have an 'NRL clause' in their contract, or are currently playing at the Dragons.
The options include seven rival NRL players, two Super League playmakers and one player who is currently involved with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
2Lyhkan King-Togia
Instead of the Dragons looking to the open market to decide who will replace Ben Hunt, Shane Flanagan may decide to rely on young gun Lyhkan King-Togia, who made his NRL debut this season and is expected for big things.
Progressing from the Jersey Flegg Cup to the NSW Cup to the NRL in 2024, the 19-year-old made four appearances for the club after Kyle Flanagan was ruled out due to suspension and even played the entire 80 minutes at five-eight in a must-win match against the Canberra Raiders in Round 27.
The Dalby Devils junior may still be inexperienced, but if the Dragons see him as the future of the club, they could do what the Wests Tigers did with Lachlan Galvin and slot him straight into the starting halves to gain valuable experience and learn off the likes of Gutherson, Valentine Holmes and Kyle Flanagan.
Pezet on loan for 12 months looks sensible, as does developing their home grown guy, King Togia. Developing your own (cheap) talent is the Penrith and Cronulla strategy, and that alone is a recommendation for the strategy.